This morning we truly saw compassion in action.
Our group of Seva supporters is on a self-funded tour of Cambodia to see the impact of Seva's eye care programs here. Today was day 9 of 15 of a surgical eye camp funded by Seva Canada. This week the camp is being held in Battambang in the far west of the country.
Ratana Vann, Seva Cambodia's program manager places a gentle a reassuring hand on a cataract patient at the Seva eye camp in Battambang
Seeing the work of Dr KC, Ratana Vann and Diro Neang, our three Seva Cambodia staff, was deeply inspiring for our group. Dr. Bal Kumar KC is a Nepalese ophthalmologist who has dedicated over 15 years of his life to this war-ravaged country. He works tirelessly to restore sight and prevent blindness. Dr. KC is one of only 11 ophthalmologists in Cambodia (9 Cambodians and 2 ex-pats), a country of 14 million people, and he is one of 2 that can do pediatric cataract surgery. This morning Dr. KC was examining yesterday's surgical patients as well as new patients for today's eye surgeries. It was so moving to see each patient treated with kind words, big smiles, a reassuring hand on the shoulder, and clear and compassionate explanations of their conditions and possible treatments. Perhaps the most telling case was a handcuffed prisoner who was brought in by two police guards. Dr. KC gently but firmly told the police that the handcuffs must be removed before he would examine the man's injured eye. Even though the patient did not need his hands for the slit lamp examination, Dr. KC's stance spoke volumes about his respect and kindness for his patient, wanting him to be treated with dignity and caring.Police remove the handcuffs from a prisoner needing treatment at the Seva eye camp in Battambang
Dr. Gary Barth, a US ophthalmologist from Sonoma County, California was watching Dr. KC examine all the patients. "The abiding impression I had was kindness," said Dr. Barth. "Being friendly and skillful isn't always a trait I see. Dr. KC really likes his patients. We knew he was a consumate eye surgeon, but he has these other qualities. He is the kind of guy you'd send your family and relatives to. I think the confidence that comes from being an excellent, world-class eye surgeon allows him to transcend some of the things that would frustrate others. He's very centred. "
